Three Questions

I’m going to name some characters from a television show that I grew up with and then I’m going to ask you to name the show. Ready? Don’t just shout it out though, wait.

Bert and Ernie; the Cookie Monster; Grover; Oscar the Grouch

Sesame Street

Those were all Muppets, but one of the earliest human characters on the show was a man named Mr. Hooper. Do any of you remember him? He had the store. His name was Will Lee and he was on Sesame Street for thirteen years before he died of a heart attack in 1982. The producers were faced with a dilemma. How were they going to explain death to the 10 million children who watched the show? They could have just made up a story about Mr. Hooper retiring to Florida, but instead they decided to tell the children he died. But because this was public television, they didn’t want to mention anything religious or spiritual.

So on the day of the show Big Bird walks out and says he has a drawing to give Mr. Hooper and says, “I can’t wait to see Mr. Hooper again.”

Then they said, “Remember Big Bird, we told you that Mr. Hooper died.”

Big Bird said, “Oh yeah, I forgot. Well, I’ll give it to him when he gets back.”

So, someone puts their arms around Big Bird and says, “Big Bird, Mr. Hooper isn’t coming back.”

Big Bird asks, “Why not?”

And the answer was, “Big Bird, when people die, they don’t come back.”

The gospel of Sesame Street isn’t good news at all. What a sad message to teach children: “When people die, they don’t come back.” But that’s not the message of Easter. The good news of Easter is because Jesus came back from death that we can live after death as well.

If you have your Bible (and I hope that you do) go ahead and open them to John chapter 20. All four gospels record the events of that first Easter morning but we are going to spend our time looking at John’s account.

Today, we are going to look at what happened to Mary Magdalene that Sunday morning after the crucifixion. Mary was one of the eyewitnesses of the resurrection. She was the last one at the cross and the first one at the tomb.

She had to answer three questions that day, and these are the same three questions each of us must answer today. So, let’s pray and we’ll go straight into His Word.

Pray!

John 20:1–18 ESV

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

The first thing we see is:

Easter Sorrow

After the two disciples returned home, Mary peeked inside the dark tomb and she saw a couple of angels. The angels asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” Why are you crying?

That’s the first question:

Why are you crying?

You can tell these angels never took a class in counseling because you’re never supposed to just ask WHY someone is crying. The question “Why” is too threatening and not supportive enough. It’s like when a husband asks his wife, “WHY are you crying?” And then he doesn’t understand why that question makes her cry even more! Not too many husbands have been trained in counseling either!

To her credit, Mary didn’t respond to the angel by saying,

“How dare you ask me that question? Can’t you see what I’m going through? Can’t you see that we are here at a burial place? This is a tomb in case you haven’t noticed. I’ve lost someone. Not that you seem to care”

Instead she simply says, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”

Then Mary turned around and saw a man that she assumed was the gardener. That makes sense because the Bible says that the tomb was carved out of a limestone cliff inside a garden. We also know this tomb belonged to Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man who was a secret follower of Jesus. It was a new tomb in which a body had never been placed.

She didn’t recognize him, maybe because of the tears…

15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?

Calling her “woman” wasn’t rude. It would be like us asking, “Ma’am, why are you crying?”

The angels asked the question out of curiosity. They probably thought, “This woman should know that Jesus is alive, so why is she crying?” But Jesus asked the question out of compassion.

He loved Mary and His heart was moved by her tears, “Why are you crying?” He knew the answer, but He wanted her to say it. And she had answered honestly, “They have taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where He is.”

She didn’t say, “No reason. I’m fine, really. I just got something in my eye.”

That’s a question Jesus is asking you today. “Why are YOU crying? Why are you hurting? Why are you upset?”

And you need to be honest with Him. Don’t just sniff and say, “I’m not. I’m really okay. There’s nothing wrong.” He already knows why you’re crying; He just wants you to admit your pain.

There could be as many different answers to that question as there are people here today. Even for those of us who know the Lord, tears are a real part of our existence. As Horatio Spafford wrote in his famous hymn, there are times when, “Sorrows, like sea billows roll.”

What are you going through right now that is causing you pain and sorrow?

Mary isn’t the only one who has stood in a cemetery while fighting back tears. You may still be hurting from the death of a loved one. You may be hurting because of a recent diagnosis you or someone you love has just gotten. Your eyes may be filled with tears because of problems with your children. The list is endless. But Jesus sees your pain and He cares about your pain. The Bible says that He is our High Priest who is touched by the feelings of our weakness.

None of us are immune from tears.

The truth is that tears come to all of us, and when Jesus asks, “Why are you crying?” It’s time to take off the mask and honestly admit your pain. Only then can you move on to accept healing. When you do, then you’re ready to experience God’s promise found in Psalm 30:5:

Psalm 30:5 ESV

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

…Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

We often learn our greatest lessons during times of sorrow.

There was Easter sorrow followed by:

Easter Seeking

The next question Jesus asked was, “Whom are you seeking?” Who is it that you are looking for?

That’s our second question:

Who or what is it that you are looking for?

When Jesus asked Mary, her answer showed the deep love she had for Jesus. She still didn’t recognize Jesus. She still thought he was just the gardener so she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Just tell me where you put him and I will get him.

That’s love. Maybe Mary weighed 110 pounds. Let’s say Jesus weighed 165, and John tells us that Nicodemus and Joseph had wrapped His body in 75 pounds of aloe and spices. So this little woman was going to heft his 250 pound body over her shoulder and carry it back inside the tomb. That’s love. Her hope was shattered, and her faith was absent, but the love was still there.

And remember, among faith, hope, and love, that the greatest of these is love.

At that point Jesus couldn’t conceal Himself any longer. He simply spoke her name. In Aramaic, He said, “Miriam.” And she fell at His feet and answered His second question. “Who is it that you are looking for?”

She was looking for Jesus; and she had found Him.

Jesus knows your name, too. He knows everything about you. And right now, he is calling your name and asking,

“John, Who or what are you looking for?”

What is your goal in life? Everybody is looking for someone or something. They’re searching for truth, or purpose that one secret that will make their life better.

One of the great parts from the movie City Slickers is where Jack Palance says to Billy Crystal: “Do you know what the secret of life is?” He holds up one finger. “This.” Billy Crystal says, “Your finger?” Curly says, “One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don’t mean nothing.” He rides off and Billy shouts, “But what is the ‘one thing?” Curley says, “That’s what YOU have to find out.”

Everybody is looking for the newest, the biggest, and the greatest next big thing. They think life is all about accumulating more and more stuff and wealth. Or they think life is all about experiencing the greatest thrills. Many people spend their entire lives fighting their way up the ladder of success only to get to the top and realize it is leaning against the wrong wall.

Solomon, one of the wisest men to ever live, wrote in:

Proverbs 14:12 ESV

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Mary knew what the “one thing” was: Jesus.

In Luke 10 Jesus is at the home of another Mary and her sister Martha. He says to a frantic, angry Martha,

Luke 10:41–42 ESV

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Mary had been seated at the feet of Jesus listening to Him.

A relationship with Jesus is the ONE THING that will give your life meaning.

Many of us came to Christ from a Christian family. It was neat, clean, and logical. But even for people who come from a messy past, Jesus is the answer. Mary Magdalene had battled seven demonic spirits and Jesus changed her.

Have you found what you are looking for?

There was Easter sorrow, followed by Easter seeking, and finally:

Easter Surrender

Jesus couldn’t conceal His identity any longer. When He saw the love Mary professed, He simply spoke her name. “Mary.” In Aramaic, He would have said, “Miriam.” When she heard her name spoken by Jesus, Mary realized it was Jesus.

Her despair was turned to delight and she could only utter one word, “Rabboni.” John tells us that the word means “teacher.” But this doesn’t come close to what the Aramaic word means – my dear rabbi, lord, master.

She was declaring that Jesus was her Master. And then she fell at his feet and began to worship Him. That’s why Jesus said, “Do not cling to me.” “Don’t hold onto me.”

He had something for her to do. He said, “Go tell my disciples that I’m alive.”

This is confirmed when you combine all the four gospel accounts. We learn that Mary Magdalene wasn’t alone that morning. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus was there as well.

Matthew 28:8–9 ESV

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.

That’s our third question.

Will you fall before Jesus as your Lord?

Have you fallen on your knees and declared that Jesus is your Lord? You may consider yourself a skeptic. There was a skeptic among the disciples. On that first Easter evening Jesus showed up among the disciples, but Thomas was missing. When he returned they told him the good news— that Jesus was alive. But Thomas was a skeptic. He was a doubter. He said, “Yeah! Right! I won’t believe that story until I can put my fingers in the nail prints in His hands and my hand in the hole in his side.”

Be careful what you ask for, Thomas because a week later, boom! Jesus showed up again.

John 20:26–28 ESV

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Would you make the same confession? Will you fall before the Lord and confess Him as your living Lord?

There was Easter Sorrow followed by Easter Seeking that led to Easter Surrender.

Here’s another Easter question for you to think about. Do you know for certain you will go to heaven when you die? Most people believe if you are good enough that you can earn your way to heaven.

A few years ago, the New York Times interviewed Michael Bloomberg, the former Mayor of New York City. In the article, he predicted his crusades against guns, smoking, and obesity would serve him well in the afterlife. This is what he said:

"I am telling you if there is a God, when I get to heaven I'm not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in. I have earned my place in heaven. It's not even close.”

One of Satan’s most popular lies is that you can be good enough or do enough to earn our way into heaven. There is only one way to heaven, and that is when you fall before Jesus and confess Him as your Lord.

Romans 10:9 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Why doesn’t the Bible say something like:

“Confess that Jesus is Lord and believe He fed the 5,000?”

“Confess Jesus is Lord and believe that He walked on water?”

It’s because the resurrection isn’t just a miracle. It is the sign that proves that Jesus is really who He claimed to be.

I read about a Muslim who had become a Christian. He said,

“I was looking at the lives of both Mohammed and Jesus. Then I came to a fork in the road. One led to death and a tomb in Medina. The other led to an empty tomb and a resurrection. I decided to follow the living way.”

Jesus said,

…I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:2-3)

The choice is simple. Choose the living way.

A few years ago, some missionaries in Bangladesh were showing the “Jesus Film” to several hundred villagers. None of them knew the story of Jesus. They sat there enthralled with the life of Jesus. But as the torture and crucifixion of Jesus ensued, there were tears, gasps, and people were yelling in response to the treatment Jesus was suffering. There was chaos among the crowd as Jesus was being tortured. Suddenly, a young man jumped up and screamed, “Do not be afraid. He gets up again! I saw it before!”

That’s our Easter message: “I’ve seen the Lord! He gets up again! Do not be afraid!”

Michael Bloomberg was wrong. Mohammed was wrong. Sesame Street was wrong. People do come back and get up after they die. That’s why we can sing with confidence:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives all fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future.

And life IS worth the living just because He lives!”

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